Malnourished Boy’s Death Was the Result of Years of ‘Torture,’ Crown Says, Laying Out Prosecution Theory of Harrowing Murder

Boy endured years of ‘torture’ while in care of Burlington, Ont., couple, Crown tells murder trial

The 12-year-old boy Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber were trying to adopt was “dangerously” thin for over a year leading up to his 2022 death, Superior Court in Milton, Ont., heard.

Malnourished boy’s death was the result of years of ‘torture,’ Crown says, laying out prosecution theory of harrowing murder

“You kept him locked in the basement, withholding food, restraining him, knowing that he was on the brink of death,” Crown attorney Monica Mackenzie put to Brandy Cooney at the very end of her cross-examination. “No, ma’am,” Cooney repeated.